Bill Whitaker columns http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker RSS Feed for Bill Whitaker columns en-us Tue, 22 May 2012 07:11:23 GMT Bill Whitaker: State House candidates represent yin, yang of tea party http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/152237195.html In Central Texas, we have one man set on purging moderate politicians, the other focused on crafting unconventional but imaginative solutions to problems. Bill Whitaker: The rebirth of a jurist http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/151277765.html The spring of 2012 finds Tom Gray awash in harmony at the 10th Court of Appeals and the recipient of some impressive endorsements in his re-election bid. Bill Whitaker: Community organizer meets pastor in fight for East Waco http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/150322225.html When poverty, crime and hopelessness remain prevalent in much of East Waco, some residents are more concerned about daily survival, not long-term visions for generations yet to come. Bill Whitaker: Fireworks at candidates forum prove racial strife alive, well http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/149394695.html Last week’s forum is further evidence of how easily matters of race can foster misunderstanding and obscure other issues. Bill Whitaker: Philanthropist Bernard Rapoport's passion for books endured to the end http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/147471555.html His passion for learning and his interest in almost everything was impossible to ignore. Bill Whitaker: Remembering Bernard Rapoport, a political partisan with principles http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/146504175.html His political contributions to Democrats nationwide were driven by a desire for educational opportunities, battling hunger, helping the poor and celebrating diversity. Bill Whitaker: Why some politicians don't make good Masons http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/146215145.html Masonic values include extraordinarily high standards of morality and the embrace of selfless, society-enriching goals. Bill Whitaker: Pondering the health care debate in a local ER http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/145457955.html Regardless of the outcome in the Supreme Court, it seems few politicians will demonstrate the willpower or guts to craft real health care reform. There are simply no political dividends in it. Bill Whitaker: Primary election season 2012 is 'overturned fruit basket' http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/143077576.html Please quit chewing out county election workers for not replacing your expired voter registration cards. They're not to blame. Bill Whitaker: Malcolm Duncan Sr. sets sterling example for us all in school closure furor http://www.wacotrib.com/opinion/columns/whitaker/139170304.html I hope we can all show some magnanimity if things don’t go entirely our way.